Inheritance & co-ownership
Inheriting a property in Corsica almost always means inheriting a family history — and an asset that has become considerably valuable. Getting the valuation right, deciding together, selling or buying out the others: each stage has its own rules and deadlines. This section brings together our themed guides, our pages by commune and direct access to a free valuation by a local expert, in liaison with your notary.
From death to sale or division of assets, the process follows clear stages. Knowing where you stand helps avoid rushed decisions and disputes between heirs.
The notary draws up the acte de notoriété, the deed identifying the heirs, and lists the assets. A property ownership certificate must be registered before any sale.
The market value on the date of death is declared to the tax authorities. A documented valuation protects heirs against both a tax reassessment and overtaxation.
Sell, retain undivided co-ownership, or buy out the others' shares through a balancing payment. Each option has distinct tax and financial implications.
Marketing coordinated with the notary, identical reporting to each heir, and net sale proceeds distributed in proportion to their shares.
Gathering these documents as soon as the estate is opened avoids weeks of delays at the valuation, tax declaration and marketing stages.
A missing document does not prevent a valuation: we tell each heir where to obtain it (tax office, land registry or the notary who executed the deed) and coordinate requests when the heirs live outside Corsica.
Four situations recur in almost every case. Each guide details the applicable rules and what we do in practice for heirs.
Inheritance issues vary by location: title deeds, development potential, market pressure. Choose the relevant commune.
Corse-du-Sud
In Porto-Vecchio, inherited properties are often family assets acquired before coastal property values soared. The gap between memories of a modest purchase price and today's value creates tensions among heirs, as well as substantial inheritance tax bills to fund.
Estates in Bonifacio often include rare properties: houses in the upper town, former shepherds' buildings and plots on the plateau. Valuing them requires genuine local knowledge, as comparable properties are few.
In Ajaccio, inherited properties are mainly city-centre flats and houses in residential neighbourhoods. The market is liquid, which makes selling easier but makes the valuation all the more contentious among heirs.
In Sartène, an area of long-held family properties, inheritance almost invariably raises questions about establishing title and property boundaries.
Valinco combines seafront properties with homes in the hinterland. Inheritance cases here often pit heirs who want to sell against others determined to keep the family home.
In the Extrême-Sud, inheritances frequently involve large family landholdings whose value depends entirely on zoning.
In Sainte-Lucie, recently built villas and family land are passed on in a tight market where demand far outstrips available supply.
Haute-Corse
Bastia has a substantial stock of older property, often held in undivided joint ownership for several generations. Inheritance cases frequently reveal legal issues that need resolving before any sale.
In Balagne, inheritances often combine valuable second homes with family farmland. Two very different valuation approaches coexist within the same estate.
In L'Île-Rousse, inherited properties are often flats in residential developments and houses in the town, with steady buyer demand throughout the year.
A local property expert visits and inspects the property, cross-checks sales actually recorded in the commune and provides a written valuation within 72 working hours. Free, with no obligation, and ready to send directly to your notary.
The notary may adopt a value, but very often relies on the opinion of a property sales professional familiar with the local market. Our probate valuation is free and provided in writing, ready for the notary to use.
No. A sale requires the heirs to be established and the property ownership certificate to be registered. However, preparation of the sale documentation can begin immediately to avoid delays.
Unanimous agreement is normally required. However, joint owners holding at least two thirds of the ownership rights may apply to the tribunal judiciaire, the civil court, for permission to sell, through a notarial deed served on those who object.
The special regime introduced by the arrêté Miot has been phased out: recent inheritances involving property in Corsica fall under the standard rules. A specific filing deadline remains for properties without title deeds.
Our market valuation is free and comes with no obligation. Only a formal written valuation that can be relied upon by third parties, intended for a disputed division of assets or a tax inspection, incurs agency fees, which are refunded if you appoint us to sell.
This is common when the estate consists mainly of property. Payment in instalments or deferred payment can sometimes allow a considered sale rather than a rushed one: we coordinate the sale timetable with the notary.
Buying a property rather than inheriting one? Acquisition costs (transfer taxes, regulated fees and disbursements) are detailed in our guide to notary fees in Corsica.
Corse Patrimoine Immobilier ·
Identify the owners and their rights with the notary, gather the title deeds, then have the property valued. Inheritance costs are not the same as purchase costs; a property valuation does not guarantee any tax outcome.
For your local project, see the recorded property sales (DVF) in Porto-Vecchio, the steps involved in buying in Porto-Vecchio or selling in Porto-Vecchio. Also compare listings and areas in Bonifacio and the property market in Lecci.
To distinguish between the procedures: acquisition costs · inheritance and joint ownership · loi Littoral · property taxation.
Official sources consulted on 25 October 2026: Notaires de France · Service-Public, inheritance · Géoportail de l’urbanisme planning portal · DGFiP. The rules applicable to your circumstances must be confirmed; the agency is not affiliated with a notary’s office.
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Further reading
Inheriting a family home in Corsica with others is common. Selling without falling out is possible: methodology, timelines, tax, and solutions for exiting joint ownership.
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